Excellence in Epilepsy Journalism Award

Brussels (ots/PRNewswire) -

- IBE and UCB Announce Winners of Award to Improve Understanding
of Epilepsy Around the World

The International Bureau of Epilepsy and UCB are pleased to
announce the winners of the Excellence in Epilepsy Journalism Award
2009.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/ucb/40532/

The award, an initiative of the International Bureau for Epilepsy
(IBE) and biopharmaceutical company UCB, aims to increase awareness,
improve understanding, and encourage accurate reporting of epilepsy
by inviting journalists to submit stimulating, informed and
compelling stories about knowledge, data and real life experiences
of people with epilepsy around the world.

Award judge Susanne Lund, Immediate Past President of the IBE,
commented, "We received high calibre entries from 17 countries around
the world covering a range of topics including facts about epilepsy,
new developments in research, practical advice on travel as well as
the stigma and challenges people living with epilepsy face at home,
in the workplace and in the community.

"These entries truly demonstrate how journalists can help to
combat the fear and ignorance about epilepsy and improve the lives
for those living with the condition."

An independent seven member judging panel, consisting of media
experts and people with experience of epilepsy, was tasked with
identifying responsible, informed, original and stimulating stories
on epilepsy. The judges selected winners and a highly commended
entrant in two categories - print/online and broadcast.

Winners

The winner of the print/online category is Aliyah Baruchin for
her article Epilepsy in the African-American Community: Access
Education and Advocacy, published in EpilepsyUSA, Issue 4, 2008.

"A well-written, easy to read article highlighting the challenges
that are often faced by the African-American community when trying
to gain access to appropriate epilepsy care - a topic that rarely
gets the coverage it deserves," said award judge Dr Mark Porter, GP,
Broadcaster and Medical Correspondent for The Times, UK.

Television journalist and producer Miguel Angel Tobias was judged
winner in the broadcast category for his program, Hora de Salud:
Epilepsia (Health Hour: Epilepsy), broadcast on Spain's Canal 9 TV.

Member of the judging panel, Joachim Mueller-Jung, writer and
journalist for Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in Germany said, "The
judges felt this program had everything. It takes epilepsy to a
broader audience in a clear and comprehensive way with educational
insights into epilepsy. If programs like this were broadcast around
the world, it would make a meaningful impact."

Highly Commended

Australian journalist Julia Medew received a highly commended
award for her article Art Helps Lift the Veil on Epilepsy, published
in The Age newspaper. Her article, which reached more than one
million readers, told the story of a young woman's participation in
a study examining the influence of epilepsy on artistic expression.

In the broadcast category, the judges highly commended Floriane
Closuit for her thought-provoking film - Par Surprise(s) (By
Surprise) and its powerful ability to humanise epilepsy.

Special Mention

A special mention was awarded to Majlinda Aliu for her compelling
broadcast entry The Treatment of Epilepsy in Kosovo. According to
award judge Roger Sergel, Managing Editor, Health Coverage, ABC
News, USA, the film "is a gritty piece of journalism that gives us a
window into a world we seldom see while providing a stark
illustration of the challenges facing people with epilepsy in
Kosovo."

For more information on the award or to download a 2010 entry
form please visit:
http://www.ibe-epilepsy.org/activities/excellence-in-
journalism-award

Notes to Editors

The 'Excellence in Epilepsy' Journalism Award was open to
consumer and medical journalists from any country. The independent
judging panel considered 35 high quality entries from 17 countries.

The international judging panel comprised the following judges:
- Mr Robert Cole, Epilepsy Association of South Australia and the
Northern Territory, Australia
- Dr Carlos Acevedo, Vice-President of the International Bureau for
Epilepsy Latin American Region and Editor, International Epilepsy News,
Chile
- Mr Joachim Mueller-Jung, Writer and Journalist, Frankfurter Allgemeine
Zeitung, Germany
- Ms Susanne Lund, Immediate Past President, International Bureau for
Epilepsy, Sweden
- Mr David Josephs, Epilepsy Advocate, UK
- Dr Mark Porter, GP, Broadcaster and Medical Correspondent for The
Times, UK
- Mr Roger Sergel, Managing Editor, Health Coverage, ABC News, USA
Entries were assessed on the following criteria:
- Helps to increase the awareness and understanding of epilepsy
- Gives a voice to people with epilepsy
- Is conceptually or visually innovative and creative
- Is well structured, well researched and compelling
- Uses language responsibly when reporting or writing on epilepsy

The two award winners receive travel vouchers and are encouraged
to use their prize to defray travel costs related to further
journalistic research and publications about epilepsy.

About the IBE

Founded almost 50 years ago, the IBE is an organisation of
laypersons and professionals interested in the medical and
non-medical aspects of epilepsy. The IBE addresses such social
problems as education, employment, insurance, driving licence
restrictions and public awareness, and supports its members through
a range of innovative and important initiatives aimed at improving
the quality of life of people with epilepsy and their families .
http://www.ibe-epilepsy.org

About UCB

UCB, Brussels, Belgium is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated
to the research, development and commercialization of innovative
medicines with a focus on the fields of central nervous system and
immunology disorders.

Forward looking statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on
current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. Such statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results
to be materially different from those that may be implied by such
forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important
factors that could result in such differences include: changes in
general economic, business and competitive conditions, effects of
future judicial decisions, changes in regulation, exchange rate
fluctuations and hiring and retention of its employees.

Further information
IBE
Ann Little, Executive Director, IBE
T +353-1-210-8850, ibedublin@eircom.net
UCB
Eimear O'Brien, Associate Director, Global CNS Communications UCB
T +32-2-559-9271, Eimear.OBrien@ucb.com

ots Originaltext: The International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and UCB
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Further information: IBE: Ann Little, Executive Director, IBE, T
+353-1-210-8850, ibedublin@eircom.net. UCB: Eimear O'Brien, Associate
Director, Global CNS Communications UCB, T +32-2-559-9271,
Eimear.OBrien@ucb.com